UPDATE 1-Libya names new head of armed forces

TRIPOLI Jan 3 (Reuters) - Libya's transitional
authority on Tuesday named Yousef al-Manqoush, a retired general
from a bastion of rebels who overthrew Muammar Gaddafi, as the
new armed forces chief in the first significant move to build a
new Libyan military.

The appointment was announced as four fighters were killed
in a gunbattle between rival militias in Tripoli on Tuesday,
underlining the new government's struggle to control the
increasingly fractious groups who toppled Gaddafi.

To help reinstate law and order, the interim government
plans to include thousands of former rebels in the military,
police and other civilian jobs. Some militia chiefs say they
would only cede command of their fighters if an organised
military and security apparatus were in place.

Manqoush's appointment by National Transitional Council
chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil could pave the way toward forming a
structured military. But it is not clear yet whether he would be
accepted by militia commanders as the head of the armed forces.

His prospects could be boosted, however, by the fact that he
hails from Misrata, home to a number of powerful militias that
helped topple the Libyan dictator.

Manqoush's Misrata connection could have been a major driver
in the decision to choose him since the new defence minister,
Osama Al-Juwali, comes from Zintan, another major militia base.

Manqoush is a retired army general who joined the insurgency
that ended Gaddafi's 42-year rule in August and also now serves
as the deputy defence minister, said an NTC official who asked
not to be named.
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